When Lanette Ybarra arrived at the home, she found a friend of Maylene Ybarra’s, who fled the house.

The friend told police she heard screaming and pleading when Maylene Ybarra and Valverde started to fight. Police said Valverde punched her several times then went to the kitchen and got a knife. He told police he stopped stabbing her when he realized she was hurt.

Investigators found Maylene Ybarra dead inside the home. Valverde was standing in the driveway when police pulled up.

Valverde faced a judge Friday, who set his bond at $500,000 cash only. He has a history of mental illness, said the courts and the family.

Meanwhile, in southwest Albuquerque, friends gathered at the home for a short vigil. They lit candles and left flowers.

Dezarae Contreras was Maylene Ybarra’s friend. She said she was working toward her GED, but kept in touch with people from West Mesa High School.

“Her friends meant the world to her, that's all that made her happy was being with the people that she loved,” Contreras said. “I just wish someone could have been here and stopped it.”

Action 7 News spoke to Lanette Ybarra over the phone. She said she did not want to talk about the incident.